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Path of Exile 2 boasts one of the most intricate and engaging class systems in action RPGs, heavily reliant on its Ascension system. To unlock your first Ascendancy, you'll need to complete the Ascent to Power quest during Act 2. If you're unsure about where to start or how to navigate this quest, this comprehensive guide will provide all the essential details and tips to help you through the Trials of the Sekhemas.
How To Start Ascent To Power In Path Of Exile 2
To embark on the Ascent to Power quest, you'll unlock the Ardura Caravan in Act 2. Before heading to the third location, Traitor's Passage, engage with the NPC Zarka. She'll direct you to seek out Balbala, the trapped Djinn, to gain more power.
Given the procedurally generated nature of PoE2 maps, the location of the boss, Balbala the Traitor, will vary but will typically be found at the end of Traitor's Passage. Look for the Ancient Seal Door to enter Balbala's prison. To initiate the encounter, you must deactivate three seals and wait for the ensuing cutscene before engaging in the boss fight.
How To Beat Balbala The Traitor In Path Of Exile 2
Balbala resists Fire Damage and inflicts Physical, Chaos, and Fire damage, along with causing Poisoning and Ignition. Your best strategy is to exploit her vulnerability to Cold Damage.
While Balbala isn't overly complex, mastering her mechanics might take a few attempts. Here are her primary abilities and how to counter them:
Slash Attack: A basic attack that can be blocked or dodged. It can cause burning or poisoning. Use your Energy Shield sparingly for other attacks.
Throwing Attack: Similar to the Slash Attack but ranged. Dodge or block to avoid Poison ailment buildup.
Whirling Dash Attack: Balbala lunges forward rapidly, creating explosive AoEs in her path. Dodge this unblockable attack; listen for her voice cues, 'Face Me!' or 'Na'kai!'
Teleport Dagger Attack: She teleports and throws daggers creating an AoE. Dodge to avoid damage; listen for the 'Atul!' cue.
Summon Shadow Clone: Balbala throws a Barya, creating a yellow AoE. Step on it quickly to prevent summoning a clone. She follows with a teleport and slam attack; listen for 'Tithe!'
Summon Poison Mist/Vanish: Mid-fight, Balbala vanishes and summons poisonous mist. Locate her quickly to cancel the channeling. Dodge her subsequent AoE slams after cues like 'Sands of Wrath!' or 'Darakatha!'
Explosive Blade Rain: If the fight extends, she throws fans of explosive daggers in a counterclockwise pattern. Dodge in the opposite direction.
Blade Storm: If the Shadow Clone isn't eliminated promptly, Balbala summons a storm of swirling blades. Quickly eliminate the clone to prevent this.
Upon defeating Balbala, collect Balbala's Barya and return it to Zarka, who will then direct you to the Trials of the Sekhemas.
How To Complete Trials Of The Sekhemas In Path Of Exile 2
With Balbala's Barya in hand, travel from the Ardura Caravan to the Trials of the Sekhemas node. Initially, command the caravan to move to the Sekhemas' map. Once there, unlock the Waypoint and interact with the altar where Balbala will guide you through the trial.
Each room in the procedurally generated dungeon presents unique challenges, including timed challenges, traps, and elite enemies. Before entering, use a Relic to gain a boon. You'll also manage a new resource, 'Honor,' and use 'Sacred Water':
- Sacred Water drops from enemies and can be used to buy boons, keys, and recover Honor.
- Honor decreases with damage received; reaching 0 Honor results in failure.
- Remaining Honor converts to Sacred Water at the trial's end.
- Excess Sacred Water can be traded for keys to open chests.
Energy Shield users have an advantage as Energy Shield drain doesn't affect Honor.
Each trial begins with a map displaying multiple pathways. Clearing one section grants access to boons, merchants, or fountains to recover Honor and gain more Sacred Water. Completing sections also yields a boon and a curse, which have positive and negative effects, respectively.
Different trials appear at each node:
- Chalice Trial: Defeat two boss monsters by following the blood path.
- Escape Trial: Defuse Death Crystals within a time limit; avoid monsters to prevent failure.
- Gauntlet Trial: Avoid traps and find levers to escape the room.
- Hourglass Trial: Survive enemy waves until the time runs out; killing monsters drops Sacred Water.
- Ritual Trial: Kill summoners and their beasts to deactivate portals.
- Boss Trial: Face bosses at each tier: Tier 1 - Rattlecage, the Earthbreaker; Tier 2 - Terracota Sentinels; Tier 3 - Ashar, the Sand Mother; Tier 4 - Zarokh, the Temporal.
To complete the Trials and ascend, balance these challenges, preserve Honor, and choose paths wisely. For Rattlecage, the Earthbreaker, equip Fire Resistance gear and avoid lava cracks, stunning him to win.
How To Complete Ascent To Power In Path Of Exile 2
After defeating Rattlecage, interact with the altar to choose your first Ascendancy. Each class has two paths, so choose wisely as it's a permanent decision.
For the Cruel difficulty in Act 2, follow these steps to earn 2 extra Ascendancy points:
- Speak with Zarka to start the quest.
- Defeat Balbala on Cruel difficulty and collect Djinn Barya (ensure it reads 'Number of Trials 2').
- Return to Act 2 Normal Difficulty and enter the Trials of the Sekhemas.
- Use the Coin with Two Trials to access the Cruel difficulty Trials.
- Complete two consecutive runs, defeating a boss in each, to gain 2 more Ascendancy points.
Note that this workaround is due to a current bug in the Cruel difficulty quest. Reaching 0 Honor fails the trial but doesn't consume the Djinn Barya on your first attempt, allowing multiple tries. Subsequent tries and Cruel difficulty runs will consume the Barya, requiring you to find another for further runs.
To earn the remaining 4 Ascendancy points, complete the Trial of Chaos in Act 3 Normal and Cruel, bringing your total to 8 points.
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